The 2026 NRL season is just around the corner, and final preparations are well underway around the competition.
The first teams are not all that far away, but for most clubs, the all-important spine is all but locked away.
The fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker are the players who ultimately drive the team forward, set up the points and dictate the way footy is going to be played throughout the course of the season.
There are important positions all over the park, but no team have won a competition without a strong spine.
Here are the rankings ahead of the 2026 campaign.
4. Penrith Panthers
Likely first choice spine: Dylan Edwards, Blaize Talagi, Nathan Cleary, Mitchell Kenny
Other options: Jaxen Edgar, Sione Fonua, Jack Cogger, Jack Cole, Billy Scott
The Panthers come into the new year looking to more or less pick up where they left off after they dragged themselves from the bottom half way through the year into the finals.
They fell short of a fifth straight premiership, but enter the new year with a stable spine.
Dylan Edwards performed well below expectations in 2025, but could bounce back, while Blaize Talagi grew into his role as the year went on.
Nathan Cleary is one of the best in the game, and Mitch Kenny is certainly among the most solid hookers.
I would not put the Roosters above the Storm or the Panthers because DCE hasn’t played 6 for years. Maybe the Roosters think two half-backs will work (like it does at Cronulla) but until we have seen how they actually function working together as a pair, I wouldn’t be saying that they are the best in the game.